Justice S. C. Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, April 30, 2026, adjourned the trial of former Taraba State Governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku, alongside a former Permanent Secretary in the state’s Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bello Yero, to June 15, 2026.
The adjournment followed the announcement in court by Yero’s counsel, Samuel Fagade, of his immediate withdrawal from the case.
Both defendants are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 15-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and alleged conversion of public funds to the tune of N27 billion.
At Thursday’s sitting, proceedings were to continue with the prosecution’s examination-in-chief of its third witness (PW3), Taiwo Johns. However, this was halted following the announcement by counsel to the second defendant.
“I would like to bring to your lordship’s notice my withdrawal from this matter and respectfully urge the court to grant it. I am also aware that the second defendant has a substitute counsel,” he said.
Following this development, Justice Oriji asked the second defendant how he wished the court to proceed. In response, Yero requested a lengthy adjournment to enable him secure new legal representation.
“I want to plead with the court to grant me an adjournment of four to six weeks to enable me get legal representation. As it stands, I do not have any lawyer representing me. Kindly grant me time so that I can engage another counsel,” he said.
While the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, did not oppose the application, he noted that the withdrawing counsel was present at the last adjourned date when the prosecution began leading PW3 in evidence, and failed to give the mandatory three days’ notice required by law.
“When we called our PW3, this counsel was present and representing the second defendant. He ought to have given the court at least three days’ notice in line with legal requirements,” he said.
Jacobs further argued that the second defendant was not sincere in claiming he had no replacement counsel.
“The second defendant came to court with a lawyer who initially wrote his name on the cause list but later removed it when it appeared the defendant intended to use the situation to seek an adjournment. They came to court together, and the lawyer is present in court,” he added.
The new counsel subsequently identified himself and informed the court that although discussions had commenced with the second defendant, no formal engagement had been concluded.
Justice Oriji granted the application for withdrawal of counsel and adjourned the matter to June 15, July 2, 7, 13, 14, and 15, 2026, for continuation of trial.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
April 30, 2026
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